How to Make Sandcastles

Go to the beach on a sunny day. Although you don't want the weather too hot or too cold you can have fun playing in the sand in any temperature. Try your hand at building with sand. Follow these tips to make sandcastles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Bring a really good bucket. Make sure it is strong so it doesn't break. You will be carrying a lot of sand and water. Bring a metal shovel to dig. You want a shovel that won't bend or break while you are digging.
2. Start digging about two feet from the shore. You want to be close enough to get water but not too close or the waves will ruin your sandcastle. Dig a hole and put the sand in the bucket. Press it down so it is firmly packed in the bucket.
3. Turn the bucket over on a flat service away from the hole but not too far. This makes the first tower of your castle. Keep digging and filling your bucket with sand. Make several towers in a circle shape. These are the towers or buildings for your castle.
4. Dig a moat around the towers but not too close or the towers will fall over. Dig the moat deep enough to fill with water. Fill your bucket with water. Pour the water into the moat and keep filling it until the water reaches the top level.
5. Put a little water on the sandcastle so that the sand sticks together. You don't want to pour too much or the water will collapse the towers. Press the sand down lightly so the towers stay firmly packed.
6. Fill your bucket with more sand and add another tower to the top of one of the first towers. Continue building upward if you want a tall castle.
7. Add small pieces of driftwood, Popsicle sticks or feathers to the top of the towers for flags. Use shells to decorate the towers. They can be used as doors and windows.
8. Use pieces of wood to make a drawbridge at the front of your castle. You can make pathways in the sand leading to your draw bridge.

Tips & Warnings

• Use sand that is slightly wet so it sticks better.
• Take a picture of your fabulous castle.
• Don't press too hard when creating your towers.
• Don't build your castle too close to the water or the waves may destroy it.